The Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning^{[a] (A)}the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

¹⁷ But ^(A)if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet ^(B)closes his heart against him, ^(C)how does God's love abide in him?

¹² For the ministry of this service is not only supplying ^(A)the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ By their approval of this service, ^(B)they^[a] will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your ^(C)confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴ while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. ^15 (D)Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Encouragement to Give Generously

8 We want you to know, brothers,^[a] about the grace of God that has been ^(A)given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and ^(B)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave ^(C)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly ^(D)for the favor^[b] of taking part in ^(E)the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they ^(F)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, ^(G)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you ^(H)this act of grace. ⁷ But as ^(I)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you^[c]—^(J)see that you excel in this act of grace also.

^8 (K)I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ^(L)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

²⁵ At present, however, ^(A)I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. ²⁶ For ^(B)Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.